The Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club will host the controversial event, which will have a narrator providing historical context and background.

"The performance is designed to be educational and is preceded by a lecture that provides the history, context and origin of the Black Mass," a statement released by the group said. "Our purpose is not to denigrate any religion or faith, which would be repugnant to our educational purposes, but instead to learn and experience the history of different cultural practices."

Officials with the Harvard Extension School said it is not endorsing the views or activities of any independent student group, but said it would support the rights of the students and faculty to speak and assemble freely.

The Archdiocese of Boston isn't agreeing, however.

"The Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Boston expresses its deep sadness and strong opposition to the plan to stage a 'black mass' on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge," a statement read.

Father Jim Bretzke, Boston College professor of moral theology said he can understand how the students feel.

"I understand where they're coming from," he said. "I understand free speech, academic freedom and all that, but there are certain boundaries. I think they frankly cross a boundary with this."

The event will be held May 12 at 8 p.m. and at the same time a church service will be held at St. Paul Parish in response to the event.

"For the good of the Catholic faithful and all people, the Church provides clear teaching concerning Satanic worship," the Archdiocese of Boston said in the statement. "This activity separates people from God and the human community, it is contrary to charity and goodness, and it places participants dangerously close to the destructive works of evil."

In addition to the satanic Black Mass, the Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club is hosting other events, including a Shinto tea ceremony, a Shaker exhibition and a Buddhist presentation on meditation as part of the group's effort to explore other cultures.

"I think education should be about trying out all the different ideas and talking about the issues," Harvard master's degree student Philip Gardner said. "As long as it's done in a respectful manner and an educational context, there's no problem."

Bretzke, though, disagrees.

"If someone was going to do a KKK re-enactment or a minstrel show or something like that at Harvard, what would be the reaction? I hope it would be outrage."